Wingate Piano Competition - Wingate University
Source: https://www.wingate.edu/academics/undergraduate/music-major/wingate-piano-competition
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:10
Wingate Piano Competition - Wingate University
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The Wingate University Agnes and Jim Goldston Piano Competition
Saturday, January 17, 2026
from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Wingate's 9th Annual Piano Competition
Celebrating local excellence since 2017
The Wingate University Agnes and Jim Goldston Piano Competition hosts young pianists from North and South Carolina every year on Wingate University's beautiful campus, in the George A. Batte Fine Arts Center Recital Hall. Participants present selections from a memorized program in separate middle school and high school categories. The competition is open to students from grades 6 - 12 in North and South Carolina; and is an excellent opportunity to practice performing under pressure and to receive expert feedback. Top performers receive a $21,000 scholarship for use in Wingate University’s music program, as well as educational stipends from our sponsor, Agnes Goldston. In addition, the 1st and 2nd place winners of both age groups are invited to receive a free lesson with Wingate University's piano professor, Dr. David Brooks.
We encourage students and parents to apply early, as we will close the application portal after we have reached a maximum of 12 middle school and 12 high school students.
Please scroll down to explore our FAQ section if you have questions!
The music department at Wingate University offers a boutique, and highly individualized educational experience. We have small class sizes, tailored degree paths, experimental music ensembles and low faculty-to-student ratios. Our students continue on to prestigious graduate programs in top universities across the country, and earn coveted teaching positions in the region. Want to find out if this program is right for you? Ask us about joining our Music Major for a Day Experience!
REgister here!
High School Submissions
Please select
three
contrasting pieces from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary classical repertoire.
Middle School Submissions
Please select
two
contrasting pieces from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary classical repertoire.
Who is allowed to compete?
When and where is the competition?
What are the repertoire requirements?
Do the judges need my scores?
Where do we park?
When are the winners announced?
Can I record my student/child?
Will there be warm-up facilities?
How long does each contestant receive?
Do we have to stay until the very end?
What if I have additional questions?
Any student from 6th-12th grades in the states of North Carolina or South Carolina is eligible to compete, if they have not already won first place in their respective category.
The competition
will take place at Wingate University's Batte Center Recital Hall beginning at 9 a.m. for the Middle School Category, and 11 a.m. for the High School Category.
We ask that middle school students present two memorized, contrasting selections; and high school students present three memorized, contrasting selections. There are no other requirements, but we do ask for stylistic variety.
Yes, please bring your original scores with you. It’s okay if they’re marked. There is no need to write in individual measure numbers.
You can park anywhere around the music building on campus, although using the north side of the music building will take you right to the Recital Hall doors.
We will announce the middle school winners after all of the middle school contestants have presented. We will then commence with the high school category, and high school winners will be announced at the end of the day.
Due to legal and logistical considerations, we ask that no cameras be set up in the recital hall. However, you are permitted to record your own child or student, using a handheld audio-only recording device. Please do not record other contestants without their express knowledge and consent!
Yes! Please arrive early to use our facilities. A university student worker will be on hand to take you to warm-up rooms.
Each middle school student (grade 6-8) has a maximum of 10 minutes, while each high school student (grade 9-12) has a maximum of 15 minutes. Students are not disqualified if they exceed the time provided, but all students should be aware that judges may ask them to pause and proceed to the next piece, so that a variety of styles can be heard. As much as we would like to hear the entirety of every student’s program, logistical concerns prevent us from doing so.
Middle school winners will be announced after their category ends. High school winners will be announced at the end of the day. If you are not able to stay until the end, we will contact you by email or text to communicate about your award, if applicable.
Yes! Please contact the competition organizer, Dr. Annie Brooks Stankovic,
a.brooks@wingate.edu
, if you have more questions.
The Wingate University Agnes and Jim Goldston Piano Competition is the perfect platform to work towards launching a successful career in music. Scholarships have been generously donated by esteemed supporter of the music department, Agnes Goldston.
Study Piano at Wingate
Questions?
Annie Brooks
(704) 233-8311
a.brooks@wingate.edu
Skip To Main Content
The Wingate University Agnes and Jim Goldston Piano Competition
Saturday, January 17, 2026
from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Wingate's 9th Annual Piano Competition
Celebrating local excellence since 2017
The Wingate University Agnes and Jim Goldston Piano Competition hosts young pianists from North and South Carolina every year on Wingate University's beautiful campus, in the George A. Batte Fine Arts Center Recital Hall. Participants present selections from a memorized program in separate middle school and high school categories. The competition is open to students from grades 6 - 12 in North and South Carolina; and is an excellent opportunity to practice performing under pressure and to receive expert feedback. Top performers receive a $21,000 scholarship for use in Wingate University’s music program, as well as educational stipends from our sponsor, Agnes Goldston. In addition, the 1st and 2nd place winners of both age groups are invited to receive a free lesson with Wingate University's piano professor, Dr. David Brooks.
We encourage students and parents to apply early, as we will close the application portal after we have reached a maximum of 12 middle school and 12 high school students.
Please scroll down to explore our FAQ section if you have questions!
The music department at Wingate University offers a boutique, and highly individualized educational experience. We have small class sizes, tailored degree paths, experimental music ensembles and low faculty-to-student ratios. Our students continue on to prestigious graduate programs in top universities across the country, and earn coveted teaching positions in the region. Want to find out if this program is right for you? Ask us about joining our Music Major for a Day Experience!
REgister here!
High School Submissions
Please select
three
contrasting pieces from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary classical repertoire.
Middle School Submissions
Please select
two
contrasting pieces from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary classical repertoire.
Who is allowed to compete?
When and where is the competition?
What are the repertoire requirements?
Do the judges need my scores?
Where do we park?
When are the winners announced?
Can I record my student/child?
Will there be warm-up facilities?
How long does each contestant receive?
Do we have to stay until the very end?
What if I have additional questions?
Any student from 6th-12th grades in the states of North Carolina or South Carolina is eligible to compete, if they have not already won first place in their respective category.
The competition
will take place at Wingate University's Batte Center Recital Hall beginning at 9 a.m. for the Middle School Category, and 11 a.m. for the High School Category.
We ask that middle school students present two memorized, contrasting selections; and high school students present three memorized, contrasting selections. There are no other requirements, but we do ask for stylistic variety.
Yes, please bring your original scores with you. It’s okay if they’re marked. There is no need to write in individual measure numbers.
You can park anywhere around the music building on campus, although using the north side of the music building will take you right to the Recital Hall doors.
We will announce the middle school winners after all of the middle school contestants have presented. We will then commence with the high school category, and high school winners will be announced at the end of the day.
Due to legal and logistical considerations, we ask that no cameras be set up in the recital hall. However, you are permitted to record your own child or student, using a handheld audio-only recording device. Please do not record other contestants without their express knowledge and consent!
Yes! Please arrive early to use our facilities. A university student worker will be on hand to take you to warm-up rooms.
Each middle school student (grade 6-8) has a maximum of 10 minutes, while each high school student (grade 9-12) has a maximum of 15 minutes. Students are not disqualified if they exceed the time provided, but all students should be aware that judges may ask them to pause and proceed to the next piece, so that a variety of styles can be heard. As much as we would like to hear the entirety of every student’s program, logistical concerns prevent us from doing so.
Middle school winners will be announced after their category ends. High school winners will be announced at the end of the day. If you are not able to stay until the end, we will contact you by email or text to communicate about your award, if applicable.
Yes! Please contact the competition organizer, Dr. Annie Brooks Stankovic,
a.brooks@wingate.edu
, if you have more questions.
The Wingate University Agnes and Jim Goldston Piano Competition is the perfect platform to work towards launching a successful career in music. Scholarships have been generously donated by esteemed supporter of the music department, Agnes Goldston.
Study Piano at Wingate
Questions?
Annie Brooks
(704) 233-8311
a.brooks@wingate.edu